Phoenix police officer killed in crash caused by red-light runner
Jun 1, 2021, 7:20 AM | Updated: 3:56 pm
(KTAR News photo/Jim Cross)
(KTAR News photo/Jim Cross)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix police officer was killed Monday night after his vehicle was hit by a red-light runner, authorities said. The other drive also died in the T-bone wreck.
Police responded to the fatal car crash at Greenway Parkway and Cave Creek Road around 10:30 p.m.
Officer Ginarro New entered the intersection heading south in his patrol Tahoe and was struck by a car that ran a red light heading eastbound, Sgt. Ann Justus said in a press release Tuesday.
His vehicle was sent through a block wall and into a parking lot, according to the release.
We are heartbroken by the incident which took the life of 27-year-old, Officer Ginarro New. On May 31, 2021, Officer New was involved in an on-duty collision near Cave Creek and Greenway. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/WG7NRzB1Rq
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) June 1, 2021
New, 27, was transported to a hospital where he died, police said.
The driver of the other vehicle was identified as 31-year-old Christopher Castro. Speed and impairment were believed to be contributing factors in the crash.
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New joined the department in July of 2019 and worked the Black Mountain Precinct.
He became the 41st officer who died while serving, Williams said on KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona Morning News.
“Ginarro was out working in the middle of the night while most of us were home sleeping,” Williams continued.
“Seeing the faces of my officers at the hospital after learning what happened is one of those images you don’t get out of your brain quickly.”
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said in a tweet that he has ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of New’s life and service.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego released a statement Tuesday morning inviting “our community to thank his[New’s] Phoenix Police colleagues who face these kinds of dangers daily.”
“Deep gratitude also goes to the Phoenix Fire Department and Honor Health for their heroic efforts to save Officer New’s life.”
The crash is under investigation and authorities are looking at cameras on nearby buildings to solidify details of the incident.
New is survived by his wife, mother, brother and grandmother.
